Michael Beale has been namechecked by Hull City's owner but faces stiff competition to land their manager's job.
The Tigers need a new boss after sacking Ruben Selles despite the Spaniard keepign them in the Championship after taking over midway through the campaign.
Former Rangers manager Beale has been in the running and it was reported he was in discussions with the Yorkshire outfit.
Owner Acun Ilicali has now confirmed that but appeared to play down suggestions the 44-year-old was a frontrunner, insisting there are others in the frame along with Beale and Emre Belozoglu.
Ilicali told Hull Live: "I don't want to mention too much about the possibility of the managers because I don't feel good when I'm talking about managers on behalf of the managers, like it is possible, it is not possible.
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"It is like me judging them. I believe all the managers we are talking to are very good managers. I think Emre is a top manager. Michael Beale, when you speak to him, you understand that he knows so much about the game.
"We have football minds in the club that will decide about this manager, and I cannot say at the moment to you that this one is like this or this one is like this.
"What I can say is that I'm very hopeful to finish the deal in one week.
"Yes (there are other potential candidates), because you only hear about two of our candidates."
There has been a bit of debate around whether Beale could return to Ibrox should Steven Gerrard land the manager's job after the pair worked together at the club previously.
